For over three years, a group of mums in Loughborough have been meeting monthly to pray for the school their children attend. The parents are from a range of denominations but are united in their commitment to support the pupils and teachers at Outwoods Edge Primary.
Strong relationships with the school leadership have been developed over time and several mums go into the school at Easter time to conduct lessons and lead assemblies on the meaning of the Easter story. As a result they have seen a marked increase in interest in the Christian faith.
Methodist Deacon and Reside worker Ellie Griffin, working with families on the Fairmeadows and Grange Park estates, said: "The mums are supporting their own children and leading by example, helping them to be confident in their faith. They give opportunity for all to hear about God from people who know Him. Pupils and teachers otherwise have little contact with Christians.
"To begin with the primary school would have the vicar in occasionally but take it no further than that. Slowly they began to open up, and last Easter we worked with them to host an exhibition of Hope. They now approach us to do things rather than the other way round. Now we are invited to lead the school community in celebrating harvest and Christmas too."
“Trust has been built and the teachers are really positive about the lessons and assemblies and eager to have the parents in: a fantastic witness from just a small group of mums committed to the community.”
Last Easter's display of Hope was created from over 700 individually decorated bunting flags to show what people from the school and community hope for the future.
‘Reside’ is a Christian fresh expression project evolving in response to growing housing developments to the south of
Loughborough, with a vision to provide safe and welcoming places to explore faith and care for the community. Reside will never look like a 'normal' church but it is an evolving network, continually listening and continually responding to the needs of the community.
